Dave Bronson

David Bronson (born June 26, 1958)[1] is an American politician, pilot, and retired military officer. A Republican,[2] he serves as the 9th and current mayor of the Municipality of Anchorage, Alaska.

For other uses, see David Bronson (disambiguation).
Dave Bronson
Mayor of Anchorage
Assumed office
July 1, 2021
Preceded byAustin Quinn-Davidson (acting)
Personal details
Born (1958-06-26) June 26, 1958
Superior, Wisconsin, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
SpouseDebra
Children2
EducationUniversity of Wisconsin–Madison (BS)
Military service
Allegiance United States
Branch/service United States Air Force
UnitAir Force Reserve Command
Alaska Air National Guard

Early life and education

Bronson was born in Superior, Wisconsin. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in agricultural economics from the University of Wisconsin–Madison.[3]

Career

Bronson served as a pilot in the United States Air Force from 1981 to 1990, as an Air Force Reserve Command plans officer from 1992 to 1993, and an Alaska Air National Guard maintenance officer and pilot from 1993 to 2005, retiring with the rank of lieutenant colonel.[4] He has also worked as a commercial pilot since 1990.[5] In January 2021, Bronson declared his candidacy for mayor in the 2021 Anchorage mayoral election.[6] In the general election, Bronson placed first in a field of 15 candidates. Bronson then narrowly defeated Forrest Dunbar in a May 2021 runoff election. Dunbar conceded the race to Bronson on May 21, 2021.[7][8] Though Anchorage mayoral elections are nonpartisan, Bronson is a registered Republican.

Mayor of Anchorage

The month after Bronson took office, he revoked a paid parental leave policy for city workers.[9]

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Bronson has declined to enact mask or vaccine requirements, saying that it was a matter of personal choice. He also said he would not get a vaccine, calling it "experimental".[10]

During an Anchorage Assembly meeting on September 29, 2021, he defended the use of Star of David holocaust imagery worn by those opposed to a municipal mask mandate.[11] On October 1, he ordered a stop to water fluoridation in Anchorage based on reports of dangers. He allowed it to resume when he discovered that it is mandated by Anchorage's municipal code.[12]

In May of 2023, Bronson closed the homeless shelter at the Sullivan Arena leading the homeless encampments in Anchorage parks to "explode in size". Bronson said that the Arena should go back to hosting concerts and hockey games, and suggested sending the homeless people to Los Angeles and other cities in the Lower 48. [13]

Personal life

Bronson and his wife, Debra, have two children. They are members of the Anchorage Baptist Temple.[14]

Electoral history
See also: 2021 Anchorage mayoral election

References
  1. "Meet Dave". Bronson for Mayor. Retrieved 2021-05-22.
  2. Herz, Nathaniel (2021-05-18). "Anchorage is trending blue. Here's why it's on track to elect a conservative mayor". Alaska Public Media. Archived from the original on 2021-05-17. Retrieved 2021-05-22.
  3. Downing, Suzanne (2020-08-26). "Dave Bronson announces candidacy for mayor of Anchorage to 'turn this city around'". Must Read Alaska. Retrieved 2021-05-22.
  4. "Anchorage mayor candidate Q&A: Dave Bronson," Anchorage Daily News, March 13, 2021. Retrieved Sept. 3, 2022.
  5. Team, Alaska's News Source Digital. "Meet the candidate: Dave Bronson". alaskasnewssource.com. Archived from the original on 2021-04-20. Retrieved 2021-05-22.
  6. George, Kavitha; Anchorage, Alaska Public Media- (2021-01-18). "Candidates begin filing for Anchorage municipal office". Alaska Public Media. Retrieved 2021-05-22.
  7. "Heated runoff race for Anchorage mayor too close to call". AP NEWS. 2021-05-12. Retrieved 2021-05-22.
  8. "Bronson set to win race for Anchorage mayor; Dunbar concedes". Anchorage Daily News. 2021-05-22. Retrieved 2021-05-22.
  9. "Anchorage Mayor Bronson revokes paid parental leave for city workers". Alaska Public Media. August 1, 2021. Retrieved September 1, 2021.
  10. "As COVID-19 cases rise, Anchorage Mayor Bronson says he won't enact restrictions and doesn't plan to get vaccinated". Achorage Daily News. 2021-08-01. Retrieved 2021-08-01.
  11. Goodykoontz, Emily (September 29, 2021). "Mayor Bronson defends use of Holocaust imagery by mask mandate opponents during heated second night of Anchorage Assembly hearing". Anchorage Daily News. Retrieved September 30, 2021.
  12. "Anchorage mayor briefly ordered halt to water fluoridation". AP NEWS. 15 December 2021. Retrieved 21 December 2021.
  13. Branson-Potts, Hailey (2023-08-10). "Ship Alaska's homeless population off to California? They say no way, 'Alaska's my home'". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2023-08-10.
  14. "Col. David Bronson – AK Family". Archived from the original on 2021-05-22. Retrieved 2021-05-22.
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